First Pilgrims Baptist Church, 1228 Arts St., has its eye on the future as it celebrates the 21st anniversary of the Rev. Eugene M. Mitchell with special activities Sunday. The event comes as the church prepares to open a new site of ministry in the city. The theme for Sunday’s activities is “A man of God standing in the... Full story »

Mosaic Church, a new church in Mid-City that officially launches Sunday, started with a question on an adoption form. When the Rev. Page Brooks and his wife Ashley Brooks were asked which race child they hoped to adopt, the couple started thinking. Race was not an issue, they decided. They checked “no preference.” Five years and two adoptions later,... Full story »

Up close, the tiny pieces of the nearly completed mosaic at Lakeview Presbyterian Church look like swirls and boxes. Back up a few feet, and a picture emerges. Step back six years, and a story of loss and renewal, calling and commitment unfolds. “We wanted something that would remind us of why we’re here, why we’re back,” said Amelie... Full story »

The Rev. Mark Mitchell likes to say that the “hope” in New Hope Community Church, where he is pastor, stands for “helping others pursue excellence.” Sunday at 9 a.m., New Hope opens a second campus at 3708 Gentilly Blvd. with the vision of mirroring the educational and community support programs at the Kenner campus, located at 2715 Gadsden St.... Full story »

Finding common ground on matters of faith is the focus of a special event Friday featuring noted Catholic speaker and philosopher Peter Kreeft. Kreeft, author of 67 books, including “Christianity for Modern Pagans” and “Fundamentals of the Faith,” will speak on “Why I Am Optimistic About Ecumenism: A Catholic Perspective” at 1:30 p.m. in the Leavell Chapel at New... Full story »

A water slide and inflatables for children will highlight the family fun at the third annual Spring Festival at Payne Memorial A.M.E. Church, 3306 S. Liberty St., on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Proceeds benefit recreational activities in the community. “This is a joint venture with local community partners who have an interest in rebuilding and investing... Full story »

Outreach Ministries, a nonprofit compassion ministry, is opening its facility at 8724 Spruce St. in Carrollton to Christian organizations or civic associations that need a place to meet. The space is offered at no charge, though a donation to help with utilities is requested. Lisa Carey, an Outreach Ministries representative, said its New Orleans facility is suitable for regularly... Full story »

Allyson Tuttle graduated from Loyola Law School. Her husband, Paul Tuttle, has a law degree from Tulane. From the moment they met at a domestic violence conference years ago, they knew what they wanted to do: help the survivors of domestic abuse. “I give them the temporary help they need. He works with them for long-term solutions,” Allyson Tuttle... Full story »

Cyndie Hogan was praying for friends with cancer when she got an idea: Cancer survivors could be a source of help and comfort to those undergoing treatment. Before her vision of mobilizing cancer survivors to help cancer patients took shape, Hogan began a journey of her own. She was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer. “Then, I was the... Full story »

Five years ago, the corner lot at 1738 St. Roch Ave. was a small neighborhood store and St. Roch Community Church was a handful of people meeting for Bible study. The congregation’s humble beginnings and passion for ministry reflect a motto that members have taken to heart: they are “ordinary people doing ordinary things with gospel intentionality.” Today, the... Full story »

Gary Mack, pastor of family life at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, joined the church staff under the Rev. Fred Luter Jr., senior pastor, early in 2005. With membership then numbering 7,000, the church’s main campus at 2515 Franklin Ave. was stretched to capacity. Mack’s office was housed at an off-site facility the church purchased that year at 11110 I-10... Full story »

Throwing a football and playing catch aren’t typically on the to-do list for starting a new church. But at Castle Rock Community Church, where the congregation recently held its first worship service in its newly renovated sanctuary at 2323 S. Galvez St., that’s exactly what happened. Urban Impact Ministries Inc. began 20 years ago, when founder Glen Schrieber stepped... Full story »

Eden House has no success stories to share, no one to give testimony — yet. But a woman whose journey began with sexual abuse as a child, whose life is interwoven with drugs, prostitution and dozens of arrests, is out there waiting to be found. Eden House is ready to welcome her. Opening this month Uptown, Eden House will... Full story »

My first wrist watch as a 9-year-old girl was a gift from my grandmother. She traded in her Green Stamps at the S & H Redemption Center to get it. For months, my grandmother placed the stamps she got when she bought groceries in paper booklets until she had enough to make the trade. The watch meant more to... Full story »

When the twinkling lights of the Joy Theater at 1200 Canal St. lit up last year, the first time in eight years, it delighted all who loved the historic theater. Sunday brings another reason to celebrate the theater's new identity as a multivenue live entertainment center. Greater Joy, a new campus marking an expansion of Greater St. Stephen Full... Full story »

— In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, when hope for a bright future seemed dim to many, the New Orleans Dream Center opened its doors to help others find a new start on life. Saturday’s HealthREACH, a free clinic staffed by board-certified physicians, is one way the Dream Center, 1137 St. Charles Ave., fulfills its vision of providing practical... Full story »

Luke’s House, a free medical and mental health clinic, and Mount Zion United Methodist Church, 2700 Louisiana Ave., will mark historical milestones with special events this weekend. A second-line celebrating the official opening of the clinic’s permanent location at 2023 Simon Bolivar Ave. will form Sunday at 1 p.m. at Mount Zion Church. A presentation and reception will follow... Full story »

“There and Back Again” could describe the short history of Temple of New Life Baptist Church, 8480 Morrison Road, and the ministry of the Rev. Edward J. Scott, pastor. Scott and his small congregation probably prefer a snippet from the church motto: “At all costs.” The church recently marked one year at its eastern New Orleans location, its third... Full story »